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From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
On rear springing and tyres, recommending semi-balloon tyres and hydraulic shock dampers for improved ride comfort on rough roads.

Identifier  WestWitteringFiles\O\January1926-March1926\  Scan38
Date  4th February 1926
  
HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair})
TO BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}) [BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} is struck through]
B.H.) [Handwritten, struck through]
FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce}
(Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence.)

C. to CJ. DJ. RG.{Mr Rowledge} [Struck through]

re. REAR SPRINGING - TYRES.

[Handwritten numbers:]
X8410, X457
X8992, X8820
X417, X235

7-EX. R's CAR AT LE CANADELHenry Royce's French residence.

I find the springing on this as sent out, to be the best possible. Anymore flexible springs will allow it to bump because it is down quite to the limit with average load.

My bad impression was due to bad roads. I have now tested Mr. Minchin's car which called here. This has the same springs, with a smaller and lighter body, and ordinary sized tyres. It does not ride nearly as comfortably as my car.

There is nothing to be done except to see that all cars delivered have the most flexible springs possible, just to prevent too frequent bumpings on the rubber buffers, then use the shock dampers sufficiently tightly adjusted to prevent excessive rebound (and unsteadiness.)

We hope for improvements by using semi-balloon tyres (which should be recommended at once, pointing out the difficulties of supplies). They are well worth the trouble. I would not be without them on these rough roads for any disadvantages I can see. We have purposely run them at 35 lbs. per sq. in., and up to 74 MPH. without signs of wobbles.

In future we hope for advantages by the use of hydraulic shock dampers - urgently needed for both front and back axles.

R.{Sir Henry Royce}
  
  


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